IPSWICH’s unbeaten run came to a crunching halt as Brighton leapfrogged them to go top of the fledgling Championship table.
If their defences continue to capitulate as they did in this contest, then both managers know they are going to have to rely on attacking prowess to maintain their clubs’ early progress.
With defensive linchpin Christophe Berra injured, Mick McCarthy’s strength in depth at the back was tested as Luke Chambers moved to centre-half and Town academy teenager Josh Emmanuel took over at right-back. It was an inauspicious start for the youngster as Kazenga LuaLua got in behind him to meet a simple ball forward from Gaetan Bong and finish well to give Brighton the lead.
A couple of minutes later and a cheaply conceded free kick 30 yards out was punished as Dale Stephens’s ball into the box looked to have evaded everyone and curled into the net, althoughTomer Hemed, acquired from Spanish club Almeria, flicked a head at the delivery and claimed the visitors’ second goal. Another ball over the top from Bong beat Chambers but Sam Baldock was unable to finish. Then Stephens hit a post with a low shot as Brighton continued to threaten.
Ipswich are a gritty bunch under McCarthy, however, and came out in the second half rejuvenated after McCarthy had made two half-time changes. Emmanuel was replaced by Piotr Malarczyk, an £8,500 signing from Polish club Korona Kielce making his Town debut, while David McGoldrick was added to boost the attack.
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Malarczyk’s impact was almost immediate as he had the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for offside. Ipswich were determined and they managed to draw level. Freddie Sears netted from six yards on 54 minutes after a Brett Pitman shot hit a post and rebounded to the striker. Then 11 minutes later Ryan Fraser went down in the penalty area under a Bruno challenge and McGoldrick beat Stockdale from the spot.
Two minutes later, though, Brighton were back in front. While there may have been doubt over Hemed’s involvement in his side’s second goal, there was none about the third as he connected expertly to head in a LuaLua cross.
Star man: Kazenga LuaLua (Brighton)
Ipswich: Gerken 6, Emmanuel 4 (Malarczyk h-t, 6), Chambers 4, Smith 6, Knudsen 5, Maitland-Niles 5 (McGoldrick h-t, 7), Skuse 6 (Coke 68min, 6), Douglas 6, Fraser 7, Sears 7, Pitman 7
Brighton: Stockdale 6, Bruno 5, Greer 5, Hunemeier 6 (Dunk h-t, 5), Bong 7, Kayal 6, Rosenior 5, Stephens 7, LuaLua 8, Baldock 7 (Ince 83min, 5) Hemed 7 (Zamora 78min, 5)